WAR IN THE GULF

WAR IN THE GULF; War Summary

Published: February 11, 1991

RUIN IN BAGHDAD Twenty-five days of round-the-clock bombings have reportedly wrecked much of modern Iraq's pride: the roads and bridges, the power stations and refineries, communications and waterworks. With shortages acute, Iraqis heard President Saddam Hussein urge them last night to be patient and steadfast and victory would be theirs. KNOTS IN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND Its instant communications a shambles, Iraq's central command spends a full day to get word to the front lines via "pretty primitive" - but relatively safe - backup networks, American intelligence officers in Saudi Arabia said. They said quicker but less secure lines were monitored by eavesdropping planes and spy satellites. "Once the land battle starts," one officer commented, "that won't be nearly good enough." 'STILL A LOT OF POTENTIAL' Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, en route from the gulf to report to President Bush, seems to agree with field commanders that three or four more weeks of air attacks are needed before Mr. Bush can order an "AirLand Battle" to begin. "I think," he said, referring to Iraq's ability to resist a ground assault, "there is still a lot of potential out there." WAR LOSSES ALLIED FORCES Troops: The United States Central Command in Riyadh gave no new tallies. Aircraft: The briefer in Riyadh reported the loss of a Marine Harrier jump jet over Kuwait and said the pilot was missing. This increased the number of American aircraft shot down to 18. The coalition partners have lost 7, for a total of 25. The officially acknowledged losses do not include aircraft crashes on support missions, on training flights or in other "noncombat" incidents. IRAQI FORCES Troops: Forty-two more Iraqi soldiers were reported to have crossed lines, pushing the total of war prisoners toward 1,000. Aircraft: The command in Riyadh said Iraqi losses remained the same.